Does Hednesford host the largest farmers’ market in the region – it sure does!
A growing number of market stallholders are praising one Staffordshire town for hosting a hugely successful farmers’ market each month that promotes shop local, camaraderie, togetherness and diversity.
Hednesford Town Council’s monthly farmers’ market was launched in the midst of the global pandemic to boost footfall in the town centre and its stallholders agree that it’s been just the tonic for them, their business – but also for customers.
Michelle Baker, Operations and Regeneration Manager for Hednesford Town Council confirmed this is the largest regular town centre market in the area with 60 stalls and footfall reaching 10,000+ each market day.
It’s become a destination for people from near and far that it’s actually enabled one stallholder to give up a full-time position as a teaching assistant. Jane Griffiths from Neckcessorise comments: “I look forward to Hednesford Farmers’ Market because it’s one of the biggest, busiest and nicest in the region for me personally. In fact, such is its popularity that it’s been pivotal in me being able to give up a full time job as a teaching assistant, which I enjoyed but there is nothing like the connection you get with customers at a market like this. I’ve even developed some strong friendships with other stallholders too which has been great – and doesn’t happen in the other places I visit with my business.”
Sisters Erica Morgan and Selina Edwards from DogsGoNatural agree that it’s the market that they enjoy the most. Erica says: “Running the stall together is lovely and we get regular customers who like our family business ethos, and even become a bit like our family too. Without this market we couldn’t have turned our hobby into the business it is today.”
Debbie Maiden from Sparkle & Shine says that the market has enabled her stall to become a family affair. She adds: “My husband and I work on the stall and without him I couldn’t do what I do – he is a great addition and the customers at Hednesford seem to love him! Everyone is so nice we enjoy it each and every month.”
Hednesford Town Mayor Councillor Emma Hunneyball agrees that it’s the stallholders that help to bring the town to life with their products and personalities! “We know many of our traders and agree that it’s their own unique stories that turn into conversations, friendships and sales. We’re extremely proud of what has been created and know that from all the positive feedback we receive, the future for the market looks brighter than ever.
“Our key attraction in October was Transformer Bumblebee which was, for many families, the icing on the cake of a great day – he was a real talking point and picture opportunity for young and old and was funded through the government’s Welcome Back fund to help town centres reopen post-lockdown.”
The next market is on 30 October, 2021